Two Wonder Tape Tips

When I met up with Shannon of MushyWear back in May of 2013, I told her I would write a post about Wash Away Wonder Tape and two tips for its use.

It's almost 2 years later; better late than never?

(Also, Shannon is blogging regularly again, which is awesome!)

I started sewing a new bag last weekend (B6072) and wanted to include an interior zipper pocket, using this tutorial from Emmaline Bags, but with a change.   At step 9, I don't use pins to secure the zipper to the lining; I use Wonder Tape.

The above picture is step 8 of the interior zipper pocket tutorial.
That blank space is where the zipper will go!

I first heard of Wonder Tape in Jennifer Stern's Professional Jeans Construction class at the ASE and I was instantly hooked!  I suppose you could use a glue stick in place of Wonder Tape in a pinch, but the tape seems more secure than using a glue stick.

(Jennifer is also actively blogging, including lots of video quick tips.)

Tip #1 (My tip, from my experience):  

Always remove the outer layer of tape cut it off and throw it out.  Whether you buy a new package of Wonder Tape or if you have a roll that is half used, always peel off the top layer (both the white paper and the sticky tape too), all the way around, one rotation, cut it off and throw it out. That outer layer  seems to dry out so save yourself some anguish and cut that layer off.  

Tip #2 (Jennifer Stern's tip):

When you cut off a length of the tape and stick it on to the zipper, be really rough with it.  Use your thumbnail and rub roughly along the paper layer, up and down, back and forth.  This is a great chance to get out your aggressions.  It sticks MUCH better if you give it the rough treatment.  Then peel the paper layer off.  

Zipper with Wonder Tape applied roughly.  Next the paper will be peeled off.


After peeling the paper off, put the zipper into the window...and press down.  If it doesn't look right, you can still move the zipper off and re-center it.

Then you can take it over to your machine (without it shifting!) and sew the zipper with your zipper foot.

Hey, look at that! The zipper is now installed!  You can continue on with rest of the tutorial to finish the interior pocket!


Izzy is holding all the pieces of this backpack for me as I sew them, so I don't lose any of them.


One other Shannon-related item....during our shopping trip to Kaimuki Dry Goods, I bought this flannel and made a pajama top from it. I had these scraps left over and made a pillowcase for my favorite little pillow last weekend.

I used this decorative leaf stitch to finish off the edge.
Just a little something quick and easy, and that I will use til it's threadbare!!

Aloha!  and Be well!!